Perplexity has reached a multiyear licensing agreement with Getty Images to show licensed photographs inside its AI search and discovery tools. The deal gives Perplexity permission to display Getty content and to include clear attribution back to the original source.
The pact marks a notable shift for Perplexity. The company has faced accusations of scraping and unlicensed use of publisher and image content. The new agreement with Getty aims to place Perplexity on firmer legal and commercial ground and to improve the way images are shown inside search results.
Perplexity says the deal will not only allow it to show higher quality images but also to add captions and credits that link to the original Getty pages. Getty called the agreement a recognition of the value of consent and proper attribution in an age of AI.
Deal terms and scope
Perplexity will display Getty Images content inside its AI results and will attach attribution and links to the source material. The agreement is described as multiyear, and it builds on more than a year of prior collaboration between the companies in Perplexity’s publisher program. The exact financial terms were not disclosed.
Perplexity told reporters that the deal is not a standard flat fee license because Perplexity does not train its own large foundational models in the same way other firms do. The company indicated that the arrangement focuses on how images are shown and how creators are credited rather than on data for model training.
Getty framed the deal as a step toward fair use of visual content by AI tools. Getty’s vice president of strategic development said that Getty values clear attribution and consent and that the agreement helps surface images with accurate credit. Perplexity emphasized that links will point users back to the original Getty pages.
Why it matters now
Perplexity has been the target of copyright and scraping complaints. In October, Reddit filed a lawsuit alleging large-scale scraping of its site to feed AI systems. That legal pressure has made licensing a priority for startups that rely on published content. The Getty deal provides Perplexity with a visible partner and a safer public stance on image use.
For publishers and creators, the agreement shows one path for AI firms to use professional media. Proper licensing and links can help ensure that creators get recognition and that users can follow content back to verified sources. Getty’s involvement may encourage other image and media owners to negotiate formal terms with AI search companies.
For Perplexity users, the change should mean better image quality and consistent credit. It also means that Perplexity will present visuals with a clear source context. That may reduce disputes about where images came from and how they were obtained.